I smirk when I realize she’s texting from a golf course. Her friends are probably annoyed she’s holding up the game.
Around three in the afternoon, I send the Viking a flirty text. His deadpan response makes me smile. Sleep and being with him are making a world of difference in my life.
After my afternoon class, I meet Tavi.
“How was the other night?” I ask as I drive us to Samurai Noodle House. I don’t need to add anything. She knows I’m talking about the threesome at Jeff Tremblay’s.
“The best,” Tavi says.
“Wow.” I glance from the road to her and back.
She definitely looks pleased. And cute, dressed in a puffy pink dress with white faux-fur lined pockets.
“No tug of war between them? Did they do each other, too? Or just you?”
“Just me. There was some petting all round. Very sexy.” She shivers. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
I pull into a parking spot, kill the engine and turn toward her. “Yes?”
“I’m gonna marry him.”
My eyes widen. “Jeff Tremblay? When?”
“Day after tomorrow maybe. I’m gonna drop all my classes this semester. And then we’ll go to Vegas to elope. In summer, we’ll have a regular wedding for family and friends. He thinks we should do two, so I can wear the big dress and my family has a chance to celebrate.”
“My God! Are you ready for this? You never acted as though you were in love with him.”
“Yeah, I’m so happy when I’m with him. At first, I wasn’t sure about the age difference. He’s a lot older. But now it’s one of the things I like most. And it’s so nice to be with someone who loves everything about me.”
“Everyone loves everything about you, Tav. But if marrying him will make you happy, then I think it’s great.” I’m surprised at how relieved I feel. Octavia is not always as careful on campus as she should be. I’ve been worried about her.
She smiles. “I knew you would be happy for me. You’ll be a bridesmaid in summer, right?”
“Of course.” I unlock the door. “Tell me everything inside. I’m starving.”
My phone buzzes with a text, and I pause. It’s Erik asking whether I’m already at Eden’s for the night. I send him a quick text back that I can’t stay at Eden’s because her mom’s in town using the spare room. And so, I’ll need to stay somewhere else.
“Sorry, Tav,” I say, glancing up between typing. “It’s Erik.”
“You call him Erik now? Good.” The corners of her mouth tug up into a smile. “How is Thor?”
My face heats. “The road has been rocky in places, but… just between us?”
Her head bobs, nodding.
Blowing out a breath, I play with my bangs, stalling. “Being with him is the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. He makes me see possibilities I wasn’t allowing myself to consider.”
Tavi claps her hands like a little kid. “I was hoping. You know what he reminds me of? A lion. He’s got all that gold hair and does whatever he wants. Never worries what other people think. King of the jungle vibe for sure.”
“Yeah, he’s super confident. Also, when I’m angry, he doesn’t lose his temper, which keeps things from spiraling out of control. Sometimes when I’m sarcastic, he’s sarcastic back. I love that.” I lick my lips and tilt my head. “But we want different things out of life. Opposite things. I’m trying not to get too invested.”
My phone buzzes with another text.
Erik: I know you don’t want to stay at Heyworth’s alone. If I stay there, will you?
I stop walking long enough to reply.
Arya: Yes
